Port Ellen Primary School on Islay has been selected from thousands of nominations across the UK to be named Primary School of the Year.
The island school won the coveted Gold Award at the Pearson National Teaching Awards in one of 16 categories.
Port Ellen Primary uses its surroundings on the Isle of Islay to inspire its curriculum, making sure pupils are part of the community. This community also sails across the water to other islands where links between schools have been developed to reduce the isolation that can trouble some remote areas.
Lessons at the primary school include building wave powered devices, surveying the island’s heritage sites, campaigning for local issues and developing a social enterprise from a phone box. It also holds Gaelic close and ensures children get the chance to learn the language as well as its instruments and history.
“It has been a great privilege to have been shortlisted for such an accolade among some inspirational schools across the UK, but to have gained the top prize is quite overwhelming and humbling,” she said.
